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Sunday, July 15, 2012

Freemason admits to worshipping Lucifer

By Peter MuthamiaA
forlorn white archaic structure on Sokoine Drive, tucked under
jacaranda trees, just behind the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar
es Salaam has been the centre of controversy, perhaps resulting from
gory stories churned out by the gutter press. The place has been the
talk of town in the recent past.
Its very existence has fired the
wildest imaginations, conjuring up all sorts of images in many minds.
There has been speculation about what mysteries the house is keeping,
heightening rumours and hearsay as to what goes on behind the walls.
The
building has elicited interest, not just from the ordinary passersby,
but also from the highest echelons of local authority. It is on record
that in 1977 the government acquired the Masonic building under the “in
public interest” provision.
But when an appeal was lodged with the
Founding Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, he graciously
restored the property to the freemasons.
In their submission to
him, freemasons had clearly stated what they stood for and what they do.
And on a fact-finding mission, the Conservator of Antiquities decided
to visit the premises some years ago, under the impression that some
furniture and equipment came under the remit of his department.
When
each of the questions raised by him was answered, he promptly wrote and
said that he was fully satisfied and that his department was not
concerned with the property.

When seeing is believingDriven
by the urge to understand better, I also recently ventured into the
Freemason Hall in Dar es Salaam to find the truth for myself.
As
you walk into the portico or the outer room, your eyes are trained to
the numerous yellowing photographs of the Grand Lodge of England, former
masters and grand masters of the order donning masonic regalia that
include intricately designed aprons, sashes and golden chains.
Masonic
fraternities have used specialised regalia, symbolic clothing and
character costumes to express traditions passed down from the 16th
century, I was informed. The photo of the Grandmaster, His Royal
Highness the Duke of Kent is conspicuous on the wall facing the
entrance.
But unknown by many, the first astronauts to land on
the moon were Freemasons. The beaming portrait of the three astronauts –
the first to land on the moon smiles at you from the wall above the
arched oak door – there nothing unusual about this for 16 of the
American presidents were avowed Freemasons.
The furniture is
simple – commonplace wooden chairs and large table graces the front
room. To anyone, this is a normal for as far as one can see, here is
where the members enjoy a drink after a session in the main hall. It
simply conjures a notion of a club of men with their own set of beliefs.
My guide, who prefers anonymity, ushers me through the anteroom.
And all I can see is an ordinary room save for a collection of sacred
books – an aged very large volume of King James Bible, the Gita, the
Quran and an assortment of other religious books, including one for the
Sikhs, the room has nothing unusual – no altars or anything hinting on
the bizarre. Walking into the inner hall, one ought to be forgiven for
feeling somewhat apprehensive. But that does not stop here. The need to
sniff at everything is a common instinct among journalists. I am ushered
into a large room where the ceremonies take place. At the entrance I
find two staff members, emblazoned with tiny bronze doves carrying olive
twigs.
“The doves are symbolic of peaceful coexistence among
mankind. At Freemason halls, we preach peace. That is why the
Brotherhood embraces all religions, creeds and races,” said another
guide, who also does not want to be named.
We move on. A large
white painted room stands ahead of us. A black and white chequered
carpet graces the middle of the room. I am informed that black and white
checks are representative of life’s ups and downs. Against the four
walls are chairs draped in white. I am told that it is where the members
sit during the sessions. More elaborate chairs for the master,
treasurer and other officials roughly guide one to make out the sitting
arrangement during the session.
The dimly lit hall is
representative of neither a temple nor a casual meeting place, going by
the symbols and paraphernalia there in. Hanging on the ceiling is a
large letter ‘G’. I am told it is representative of the word God or the
Great Architect of the Universe, as the Freemasons are apt to call him
(atheists are not allowed to join).
“The Masonic letter ‘G’
reminds us that our every act is done in the sight of the Great
Architect of the Universe,” says the guide.
On the wall, placed
behind the Master’s seat are framed certificates and mementos that are
symbolic in nature. On the walls are the names of the members of
Tanzania’s six lodges that comprise the Roll of Masters – bearing the
names of former masters.
In the front there is a hard wood podium
under which the Lodge Master sits. An elaborately curved chair has in
its front a gavel. The Masonic gavel, I am told, is an emblem of
authority the Master of the lodge uses to show his executive powers over
the assemblage by punctuating its actions.
Above the seat, the
unmistakable Masonic symbol of a compass and a square are visible from a
distance. The guide goes on to say that the square symbolises fairness
and moral uprightness while the compass represents right moral
direction.
“The gavel was a formidable stoneman’s tool. In that
era, the gavel was used to hew the rough edges from a stone in order to
perfect it,” adds the guide. Casting off the secret society imageThe
Freemasonry, one of the world’s secular fraternal societies is perhaps
the most misunderstood. It is felt that Freemasonry is shrouded in
mysteries and many images are conjured up of what lurks behind the
closed doors of Mason lodges. To shed light on their activities, Sound
Living Correspondent Peter Muthamia held an interview with Sir
Jayantilal Keshavi Chande (Sir Andy), the former District Grandmaster
for East Africa of Freemasons:

Who are Freemasons? How long have they been in East Africa?Freemasons
are members of a regular Masonic Order concerned with moral and
spiritual values and taught precepts of Freemasonry by a series of
ritual dramas, following ancient forms and use stonemasons’ customs and
tools as allegorical guides. Freemasonry has been in operation in East
Africa for the past 107 years.

What is the core value of Freemasonry? As
supporter of religion, Freemasonry without interfering in religious
practice, expects each member to follow his own faith and to place above
all other duties his duty to God by whatever name He is known. Its
moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.

Freemasonry is referred to as a secular fraternal society yet symbolism, ritualism and allegories are said to be rife. Why so?
The
largest secular, fraternal and charitable organisation (3.5 million
Freemasons donate $400 million annually to worthy causes), Freemasonry
teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge. This is done through symbols,
rituals and allegories. Peter, you are, therefore right, and this is
the reason why they are rife as you put it. Let me add that use of
allegory and symbolism impress the principles and teachings more firmly
in the mind of each candidate than if they were simply passed on to him
in matter-of-fact modern language.

Freemasonry is described as a “craft”, what specifically does that mean to one with no knowledge of Freemasonry?“Craft”
is to be taken in a generic sense. It follows the ancient stonemasons -
men who built great cathedrals and castles. They had simple initiation
as there was no formal ways of identification, they adopted secret signs
and words to demonstrate that they were trained masons when they moved
from site to site.

Freemasons, it is said, operate in deep secrecy. Why the secrecy? Freemasonry
does not operate in secrecy. Meetings are open only to members like
other groups, clubs and organisations. They are registered in every
location under the relevant legal requirements. Many of these buildings
are used by local communities for activities other than Freemasonry.
The only secrets in Freemasonry are modes of recognition used as a test
of membership.

Judeo-Christians and Muslims have associated Freemasonry with cultism and occultism. What do you have to say about this? We
are aware of the existence of literature and newspaper reports linking
Freemasonry with cultism and occultism. Freemasonry requires a belief in
God and its principles are common to the world’s great religions. Over
the years we have tried to clear such misunderstanding but some people
are averse to accepting explanation.
When the former President
Moi of Kenya had established a Presidential Commission on Devil Worship I
was summoned by the Commission to explain the public perception that
Freemasons were a cult of Devil Worshipers. Following an hour-long
interrogation by the Commission its members were invited to inspect our
building on Nyerere Road in Nairobi, which they did in the company of a
TV crew and print media journalists. Although the Presidential
Commission’s findings were not available to us we were able to obtain an
extract about us, which totally exonerated Freemasons from Devil
Worship allegations. At the same time we were invited by the Commission
to try to educate the public on what we are and what we do.

It
is said that Freemasonry espouses as one of its values that a man’s duty
is first to his God. Which God do you refer to? What sacred books do
you use? Are atheists welcome?
Freemasonry accepts only those men
who believe in God and since the membership includes Christians, Jews,
Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Parsees and others the God is referred to as the
Great Architect of the Universe who is not a specific Masonic God or
indeed trying to composite all Gods into one. Instead, it provides a
common acceptable vehicle for men following different faiths. To the
majority of Freemasons the sacred book is the Bible but since there are
many members who follow different faiths they would naturally make their
promises or take their obligations using the book, which they consider
sacred.

Are there special qualities for one to be initiated into the order? No,
there are no special qualities. The man should be at least 21 years
old and must voluntarily seek the membership. He must be of good report
and practice acceptable moral behaviour. He is expected to regard his
Freemasonry as a moral code subordinate to but supportive of his
religion and pay an annual subscription to his lodge and for his meals
after the meeting.

Does Freemasonry see to spiritualisation of man as a means to an end or an end unto itself?Freemasonry
does not have the basic element of a religion. It has no theological
doctrine nor will Freemasonry allow for such a doctrine to develop. It
offers no sacraments and does not claim to lead to salvation nor attempt
to spiritualise a member.